Freighter Crews

[Jayson1]

IS the ship going to have a holodeck? If not you might want to consider something like those VR glasses that Captain Ransom had in "Equinox" on Voyager. Something that is kind of low rent entertainment. Plus I was thinking maybe a gym for people to work out. Also if any of the crew has children maybe even a nursery and a school room or maybe a room that has been set aside for both.

Jason

 

[admiralelm11]

I don't think freighters have room for holodeck technology. However, that decision is up to the writer.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

The defining characteristic of a freighter is to have lots of room.

But definitely wouldn't be any holodecks/suites, that's far too advanced (like I said, this ship will be decades old by the time a story starts, so think late-23rd/early-24th century, holodecks definitely weren't a thing). Some of the crew may enjoy private VR environment or gaming simulators, but not many. The ship would have its mess hall and rec room, maybe even a small observation deck (or at least a compartment with a few windows they drag comfy seating into and store the odd bottle of alien liquor), a smaller hold would be converted into a gym whilst team sports might be enjoyed in one of the larger bays, one of the crew (either past or present) may have outfitted a small hold to act as an arboretum, bringing a little colour and nature into ship. Plus the ship's cat will also keep folks entertained.

There will be a few kids running around, lessons would be held likely in the mess hall carried out by volunteers among the crew, though of course one or two of the bairns would prefer to be learning from one of their extended family in the engine room or on the bridge.

 

[Odon]

...maybe even a small observation deck (or at least a compartment with a few windows they drag comfy seating into and store the odd bottle of alien liquor),

Why an observation deck on a freighter though? You'd have to have a reason for those windows, either related to a past use of the vessel, or a current use--manual observation when docking with non-Federation vessels? Or perhaps there was a sensor array or weapons removed, and transparent aluminium or something used to seal the gap.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Why an observation deck on a freighter though? You'd have to have a reason for those windows, either related to a past use of the vessel, or a current use--manual observation when docking with non-Federation vessels? Or perhaps there was a sensor array or weapons removed, and transparent aluminium or something used to seal the gap.

Very true. Not sure such a feature would be included, though it could've been a previous owner trying to make the ship a little more upmarket to attract passenger fairs, so they shut down a docking port, removed the external hatch and replaced it with transparent aluminum, then cobbled together a small lounge area.

I've not really worked out all the specifics of the ship, as I wanted to focus on the crew first and foremost.

 

[Sgt_G]

Well, you do need to define the ship as far as whether or not it's armed, and if so how many weapons it does have. You need to know that so you can pad the crew with some gunners, if it's armed.

 

[Jayson1]

I was thinking you might need like cold storage rooms for holding meat or things that need to stay cooled for whatever reasons. Perhaps scientific reasons. Plus a morgue since people will likely die. Also depending on how much space you might could have scooters or small vehicles for people to drive instead of walking. Also maybe some road vehicles for planetary surfaces. And a armory for any weapons you carry aboard for security reasons. Also maybe a office or Ready Room for the Captain but in reality all department heads should have a office of some sort. On TNG it was kind of missed opportunity that we never got to see Riker, Worf or Geordi really have one even though they are department heads and RIker is sort in charge of the departments. Makes more sense them him taking all his work up to the conference room on the Bridge all the time.


Jason

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

The Cyllene is a 250-meter-long Boslic built, Nyberrite registered Tiajj-Class long-haul freighter, commissioned in 2305. Designed for reliability, the ship’s reactor and engines aren’t anything fancy but can run for hundreds of hours before needing any sort of maintenance. Her top speed is warp 8.5, though can maintain warp 7 when fully loaded, making her faster than many other freighters of her size—even as she enters her forth decade of service.

Equipped with a standard package of sensor, navigational and communications arrays, the ship has received a few upgrades to her computer system over the years, increasing the level of automation though does still require at least two crew on shift for standard operations. Her systems have also benefited from a few Federation components available on the civilian market, ensuring that the ship meets the safety requirements of the UFP, allowing her to bid for contracts. One are that has been vastly improved over the years is the ships shields, though no where near military-grade, they are some of the best civilian generators available—an upgrade Captain Novak saw to after purchasing the ship, given her lack of armaments.

Despite her size, the ship only has accommodation for a maximum of forty people and currently carries 25 crew and family members (as well as the ship’s cat). The additional space is made available to passengers looking for a cheap bunk to get from ‘A’ to ‘B’, as accommodations aren’t very spacious, but the ship has a well-stocked galley and comfortable mess hall, a well-equipped gym, as well as an arboretum that has been a feature on the ship for well over twenty years. The crew is made up of sixteen different species from across the Alpha and Beta Quadrants, with 44% being from non-Federation worlds, whilst humans make up just over a quarter of those onboard.

Part of the reason for her crew complement being so low, is that most of the ships internal space is utilised for cargo and fuel storage, with very little remaining for habitation, as such they have to do without facilities such as laboratories, holodecks, etc. The ship also has a number of cargo clamps on the ventral hull, allowing her to haul larger/bulkier items it required (though this does reduce their speed, due to necessary modifications to the warp field geometry).

As an Independently operating ship, reliability and speed are as essential as cargo capacity, in order to make the Cyllene competitive when going up against larger companies with more resources, as such the Tiajj-Class ideally suits the needs of the crew as they venture out into the space beyond the Federation boundaries.

 

[TheLoneRedshirt]

A few other questions/considerations -
Will the ship be capable of planetary landing? If not, will it have transporters or perhaps a cargo shuttle?
What kind of cargo will the ship haul? Possibilities might include containerized cargo, carried externally or towed, liquids, gasses, ore, equipment, hi-tech equipment, grain, pre-fab habitats/building supplies, food stuffs, Tribbles, etc.
Will this strictly be a legal operation, or will smuggling play a part in the enterprise? (If the latter, I definitely recommend an armed ship.)

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

She's space only, so has one personnel transporter and six cargo pads. She also carries four workbee-type utility pods for loading/offloading in space, and also has a single mid-range shuttle that can be used for passengers or cargo.

Most of the cargo will be containers, most of which will be stored inside the various bays/holds she has, but does have clamps for carrying larger items or towing containers/barges. Cargo will likely be mostly solid, though a couple of bays can be modified for liquid/gas storage for short-term hauls, though just what the cargo she carries depends on the contracts and jobs available, so they could end up with pretty much anything onboard.

They may be operating outside of Federation space for most of their time, but they are a legitimate company, so everything is above board. These are just normal people just trying to earn an honest living, without the glitz and glamour of Starfleet and the UFP.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

Captain / Owner: U. Rowan Novak (Human)
First Mate: Ktorv (Meshinite)
Second Mate / Master-at-Arms: Ghitaen Hu-Tahrii (Efrosian)
Purser: Jani Ettan (Rigellian-Zaran)
Communications Operator: Renojj (Boslic)
Helmsman: Natalie Reese-Zhou (Human)
Navigator: TBD
Chief Engineer: Orkko Uda (Xepolite)
Engineer's Mate: Shen Reese-Zhou (Human)
Engineer's Mate: T'Sil (Vulcan)
Medic: Jessica Smith (Human)
Quartermaster: TBD
Able Deckhand: Iish Zhaliss (Saurian)
Able Deckhand: Khomevyr "Evyr" th'Vrahl (Andorian)
Able Deckhand: D'dal P'rruk (Tr'akarrian)
Deckhand: Ranna Ijen (Bajoran)
Deckhand: Brethar Yadix (Bolian)
Deckhand: TBD
Deckhand: TBD
Deckhand: TBD

Family Member: Ashirnathal "Ashir" ch'Thon (Andorian)
Family Member: Alice Reese-Zhou (Human)
Family Member: Huang Reese-Zhou (Human)
Family Member: Ranna Atoni (Bajoran/Cardassian)
Family Member: TBD

Ship's Cat: Oscar

 

[Odon]

Given that the communications and helm would have to be manned 24/7, you need more than one character for those positions. Rather than add extra personnel though, have some of the crew be cross-trained in multiple roles. That would also give you more options when you need an excuse to pair some people together for plot or character reasons.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

That's what the Able Deckhands are for, they're certified for bridge operations which the run of the mill Deckhands aren't. The Captain, First and Second Mates are all qualified helm/nav operators.

 

[Jayson1]

One question though is if they aren't Starfleet you might want to establish how they become certified. It would be a fun to see where people go for education and job training in the 24th century who aren't in Starfleet because with Starfleet they always go with Starfleet Academy for that. Also would you crew have a union to make sure they are paid fairly?


Jason

 

[Sgt_G]

RE: Able Deckhands ... for someone who's not a pilot but is certified to stand wheel-watch for short periods of time, I would suggest a different job title, perhaps Boatswain.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

RE: Able Deckhands ... for someone who's not a pilot but is certified to stand wheel-watch for short periods of time, I would suggest a different job title, perhaps Boatswain.

I'd say Coxswain (or Boatswain's Mate) would make more sense as that's the traditional title for a small boat handler of any rate (though usually the senior one will be a Petty Officer or above on naval ships), whereas Boatswains are usually senior crew and act as the "deck boss".

 

[Sgt_G]

Makes sense that a senior crew / deck boss would also be qualified for wheel-watch, so the title of "Boatswain" still fits.

 

[Shamrock Holmes]

Makes sense that a senior crew / deck boss would also be qualified for wheel-watch, so the title of "Boatswain" still fits.

You'd think so, and I suppose the ranking one could be (though according to Wikipedia the Bosun is the one ranking crewman that isn't typically a watchstander), but as there's only typically one of them (junior ones are BMs or ABs), whereas etymologically each "boat" assigned to a ship could have had a Coxswain (in fact holding such a "ticket" is a requirement for advancement to Bosun in the USCG) so it makes sense to me that Coxswain would be the junior watchstander term.

 

[Sgt_G]

Just so we're clear about what is being asked here ...

So, on DEADLIEST CATCH, there are times the Captain sets the course and everyone goes to bed. One person stands wheel-watch. They don't have to do anything except stay awake and make sure the boat doesn't run into anything. Ergo, just about anyone, down to and including the green horn bait-boy, can stand wheel-watch.

In my view, tho, I think a space freighter would be more like an airliner flying cross country, where the pilots are constantly talking to ATC and making course adjustments, even if on auto-pilot.

So the freighter is heading out on a ten-day trip with a delivery. The navigator plots the course and they set off. Even if they're off the beaten path and don't have to talk to Traffic Control, someone still has to be on the bridge to make minor course adjustments to the stray comet / asteroid and to verify the auto-pilot turns at the planned way points. (You can't usually fly a straight line from here to there.) In that case, I would want someone with a bit of training and/or experience at the helm, not the brand-new deckhand.

 

[Bry_Sinclair]

They'd have scheduled check-ins with their destination spaceport, but on the whole they'll be in open space or designated shipping routes on their own.

One person is on the bridge at all times, though typically there will be at least two, usually being the Captain/First/Second Mates and Comms/Helm/Nav to keep an eye on heading, scans, course corrections, diagnostics, etc, but should any of them need to depart then an Able Deckhand would be available to backup whoever was left on the bridge, or able to keep watch on their own (just like the captain/mates or bridge crew) and cover the basics when the ship is in transit. The Ables are experienced, jacks-of-all-trades and qualified for bridge duty, often in the progress of becoming a full-time bridge operator or certify as a Mate. Regular Deckhands deal with low-level maintenance, cleaning, cargo loading, equipment checks, cooking (though everyone does this), and will be learning other skills such as more engineering skills, transporter operation, workbee piloting, security basics, etc, if a Deckhand wants trained on bridge duty they are never left alone there until they are competent and certified, always under the watchful eye of one of the bridge crew and the First Mate.